Fringe anti-equality organizations are flooding the Capitol and your lawmakers with misleading calls in an attempt to defeat California Assembly Bill 1266, the School Success and Opportunity Act, introduced by Assemblymember Tom Ammiano. It is urgent that members of the Assembly Education Committee hear from you asking for their support of this important bill to protect transgender students.

In many school districts, transgender students are prevented from participating fully in school activities, programs and facilities. This can lead to missing credits needed for graduation as well as serious stigma and bullying of transgender students, who are already one of the most marginalized and vulnerable groups in our public schools.

AB 1266 will strengthen California's existing non-discrimination laws and ensure that transgender students have the opportunity to succeed in school and participate in classes, sports and other activities based on who they are - just like all other students. These policies have already been successfully implemented at hundreds of California schools, and it is time to make sure that all schools allow transgender students to fully participate and graduate on time.

Right now, opponents of the School Success and Opportunity Act are spreading a message of fear, making transgender youth the scapegoat for their outdated prejudices, and ignoring the success of similar policies throughout the state and the nation. The Assembly Education Committee will soon vote on this bill, and we need you to email and call committee members letting them know that no young person should be excluded from school activities because of who they are.

A sample email is included below that you can customize and use to email committee members directly (click on their name) asking for their support.

Please join Transgender Law Center, and other bill co-sponsors - Equality California, National Center for Lesbian Rights, GSA Network and Gender Spectrum - by making a difference in the lives of young members of our community.

It only takes a few minutes. Phone calls are especially needed.

In solidarity,

Masen Davis

Executive Director

Sample Email

Dear [Legislator],

I am writing to urge you to support Assembly Bill 1266, the School Success and Opportunity Act, by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano. California law prohibits discrimination against students based on their gender identity. Unfortunately, many school districts do not know what this means, leading to transgender students being excluded from school programs and facilities.

This bill will ensure that school administrators, teachers, parents and students understand that schools must treat transgender students just like any other students. Transgender youth deserve a safe, non-discriminatory school environment that encourages them to learn and participate fully, just like everyone else.

Programs like these have been successfully implemented in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other districts throughout California and the nation. While the opposition seeks to keep the discussion in a place of fear and ignorance, the real experience shows those fears to be baseless. In fact, ending the exclusion of transgender students from activities, programs and facilities has led to increased acceptance and success for all students.

Please support the School Success and Opportunity Act, and help make California schools a foundation from which all students can succeed.